Yikes! . . . . I'm about to take the plunge!

[FarSider 0]

I am about to take the plunge . . . Yup, scuba diving. I will get my open water certification in a couple of weeks. I just happen to have a trip to Pattaya planned for September, so.... maybe I can do a dive trip while I'm there. I've been to Pattaya many times, but never to dive.... uh, I mean, you know.... never to do scuba diving!

 

So if there are some guys on this site who know scuba in Pattaya, could you give me your recommendation for good dive shops?

 

From my internet searches it looks like "Aquanauts" . . . "Mermaids" . . . "Pattaya Scuba Dive" . . . and "Sea Duction" are main shops with full-service equip rentals, instruction, and trips.

 

Any recommendations? . . . . . much appreciated.

 

 

--- Farsider

[N3RGT 118]

Hey Farsider,

I thought that you will have had a reply before now so..... I don't pretend to know anything much about scuba diving, however a good place to start with your enquiries may well be the Residence Garden Hotel in Pattaya, and then go from there. The excerpt below is taken from their website. Residents there will have often seen scuba training taking place, in the back pool. I would imagine they will have some excellent contacts there for you.

 

 

Quote Sport Activities

If you're tempted by Scuba diving, tours or famous golf courses - you will find it all at The Residence Garden.

Our in-house diving instructor can take you from beginner's Open Water PADI course, to experienced wreck diver. We have dive trips every day to coral islands and ship wrecks. If you never dived before, try our Discover Scuba Diving (DSD), an accredited course for first time divers, which can only be taught by a qualified PADI professional, allowed hundreds of beginners to experience scuba diving.

 

Website is here http://www.theresidencegarden.com/

 

P.S If you like what you see, and decide to stay there, make sure you do it through this link http://www.pattayapages.com/residence/ to get the FLB discounted rate !

Edited July 20, 2009 by N3RGT

[Bruce Mangosteen 538]

None better in town than Real Divers. http://www.real-divers.com/ Owned by two brothers, Pete and Neil, along with their dad Dave. Very experienced instructors. I took my open water cert from Pete and it was fantastic. Two thumbs WAAAAAAAAAAY up!

[ingo67 8]

If you want really stunning diving then go to the Similan Islands, north of Phukhet - unbelievable. Pattaya is not the best diving location in Thailand, especially in September (wet season is very bad for water clarity).

[harro1 256]

None better in town than Real Divers. http://www.real-divers.com/ Owned by two brothers, Pete and Neil, along with their dad Dave. Very experienced instructors. I took my open water cert from Pete and it was fantastic. Two thumbs WAAAAAAAAAAY up!

 

Yep, see these guys.

[nkped 1,208]

I have been happy with Mermaids, but have not dived with anybody else in Pattaya so can't make any comparisons. The diving itself off Pattaya does leave a bit to be desired, although that isn't a huge issue when you are starting. Haven't dived out of Phuket earlier than late October, but weather will probably pose challenges (waves/surge) there as well before dry season.